Letter: Remembering the fallen on Memorial Day

Published 9:54 pm, Friday, May 22, 2015

To the Editor:

This Memorial Day we remember our fallen angels who have made the ultimate sacrifice. We remember those who are away from their families to ensure that we are next to ours.

We honor our veterans by trying to follow their example. U.S. military was one of the pioneer institutions that opened its doors to desegregation and have always fought for equal treatment of all service members. Indeed, veterans who stand shoulder to shoulder as brothers and sisters, look pass each other’s differences in regards to race, gender, religion, social class, sexual orientation, etc.

None of that matters because they are brothers and sisters in arms and have a common link – they are all Americans. They share the same mission – defending our nation against the oppressors. They are heroes and should be our role models.

Why do we face so many issues in our country pertaining to race, gender, sexual orientation, religious differences amongst us, even though we, too, share the common link of all being Americans? Why can’t we, too, stand shoulder to shoulder as our brothers and sisters in the Armed Forces? We, too, have the same mission of making our country better and fighting for what is right.

U.S. Army Special Forces unit has a motto, “De Oppresso Liber,” meaning, “Liberate the Oppressed.” We, too, must liberate the oppressed, the marginalized people, groups and communities in our country by supporting them in their basic rights and by encouraging equal treatment of all the people, regardless of their background.

That is what our country is based upon – justice. And I personally want to remember my beloved friend and my fellow brother-in-arms SSG Memon, Kashif of 95th Civil Affairs Brigade (Airborne) who made the ultimate sacrifice by defending our nation in Afghanistan in 2012.

Rest in peace, brother; rest in peace, all the heroes of our proud nation.